Lots of GREAT Things Happening!!

What a WONDERFUL week it has been!!! Yesterday, we received our I-800 provisional approval!! Once we receive our cable letter from NVC (National Visa Center) our agency will send for our Article 5.  It'll take about 2 weeks to get it.  Once we get Article 5 we will have Travel Approval in about 3-4 weeks.  Then it's "on like Donkey Kong!!!" LOL!! Just had to say that!!! We will be leaving for China SOON!!! We are very excited!!!

MORE AMAZING NEWS!!
Wednesday...we received a text from a friend at church that he wanted to stop by and bring us a delivery.  We were like...sure...no problem!! :) We weren't sure what he was delivering.  :) Anyway...what he told us absolutely blew us away and was just a 'kiss from Heaven' to let us know that God KNOWS and He SEES and He will provide.  God's faithfulness is so amazing!!!

What our friend Clint began to tell us was that he and his wife are both in lifegroups at church and they have been doing the Bible Study "The Blessed Life".  Their groups decided that they wanted to come together and  do something to bless someone.  Clint & Amy Jo (who have also adopted a PRECIOUS little boy from India) know the cost of adoption first hand, and they brought up that we are adopting Shep and still have funds to raise before we go.  So both groups decided they wanted to give toward our adoption.  They have absolutely blown us away by blessing us with $1800 to go toward our adoption expenses!!! WOW!!! That is absolutely AMAZING!!! God was saying..."SEE!!! I'm taking care of it! Where I guide...I'll provide!!!" I was in tears.  It was the PERFECT timing and we could not have been more grateful!! With that $1800...we have now reached $6000 to go toward the $16,000 we have to wire once we receive TA.  This is such wonderful news!!!!

For each person that gave anything....we wish we knew who you all were and could PERSONALLY thank you.  But this is the best way we know to say thank you!! You guys will NEVER KNOW how God used you, not only provide and bless us in this last stage of our process, but your act of generosity spoke in a HUGE WAY to our hearts and encouraged and built up our faith SO MUCH!!! We pray God's blessings 100 fold back to each one of you for the gifts you gave toward making a difference in our little boys life!! You ARE changing a life and a destiny!!! Please do keep up with our journey.  We want you to see what the seed you have sown is going toward.  We are SO grateful!! A mere "Thank You" seems like it isn't enough. But we are thankful and we pray blessings on you all!!!

ONE MORE THING...
We have a precious friend who sells Thirty-One Gifts who has asked if she can do a fundraiser for our adoption expenses.  She plans to donate the profits from this sale to our adoption.  We thought that was such a SWEET thing for her to do and again...we are so grateful!!! If you or anyone you know would like to purchase anything from Thirty-One...Check out our friend Tammie Burgoon's website HERE!! Thirty-One has some really great products and if you happen to purchase something you need or like there...It'll go toward our adoption expenses!! Thanks SO MUCH Tammie!! We are so grateful!!

NEWS ON SHEPARD:
We are HOPING that we will receive updated info and pictures from Shepard soon.  We really need to know what size he wears so we can start getting him clothes and shoes and his room ready!! :) As soon as we get info on him or when our Article 5 comes in...we will blog again!!

To be able to share this journey with our friends and family is SUCH a blessing to us. We have had SO MANY of you bless us on this journey. So many of you have been support and encouragement, have offered to help us purchase gifts to take our guides, and have given so sacrificially!  We hope you know just how appreciative we are for all that you have done!! We also want to thank you for your prayers and support. They mean more than you will ever know!!! We anticipate heading to China (as long as there are no delays) in about 8 weeks!!! NOT MUCH LONGER!! We are excited!!

We will be in touch soon!! Have a great weekend!
Blessings,
Mark & Buffi